hi! English isn't my first language. thought in italic , dialogue in " ", POV alterning and Naruto's still not mine.
Chapter 12
Their dance became the talk of the clan.
The last scion of the Uchiha clan had taken an interest in their heiress. The news spread like wildfire throughout the compound.
There were mixed feelings about the whole ordeal.
Some believed that it didn't mean anything, after all both shinobi belonged to the same graduation class and fought for the same side in the war.
What's a silly dance amongst allies?
Plus, it's not like the Hyuuga heiress could refuse him. She was after all obligated to dance with every noble who asked her, and Sasuke Uchiha was the default leader of his clan.
Others said it has nothing to do with the fact that they danced together but with the fact that cold, detached, Sasuke Uchiha, who never even glanced at a woman before had taken notice and asked the Hyuuga heiress to dance.
Some scoffed and said of course he'd notice, Hinata-sama was The beauty of her generation.
Some replied he was probably just plotting and had nefarious intentions.
It made them nervous.
He was after all a ruthless killer and had immense powers. He could probably wipe all of Konoha with one of his digits.
They wondered how could their heiress handle having all five of them resting on her waist.
The elders were perplexed and didn't know what to do with all of this.
At least no one was mentioning her small interaction with the Kazekage .
Thank god for small mercies.
Hinata rubbed her temples.
All of this over one simple dance.
Her cheeks then colored. She could still feel his lips ghosting over her hand.
She knew he only done it for show, probably because he was trying to help with the elders' situation.
But the courteous gesture still won't leave her mind for some reason.
Hinata's thoughts were interrupted by her sister's throat clearing.
They were sharing a cup of tea on the porch overlooking their late mother's garden as was their custom.
The blue-haired Kunoichi knew it was only a matter of time before her sister brought it up.
"Did you have fun last night?" Hanabi asked.
"Did you? I know you don't like that type of parties" Hinata deflected.
"I would've if Konoha's most eligible bachelor held me close while sweeping me around the dance floor." Her sister's eyes sparkled with mischief.
"We weren't that close." The eldest cheeks turned pink.
"Please. You've been dancing since you were 5 years old, I think you remember the proper form." Hanabi snorted "and let's not talk about that steamy finale"
"Hanabi. It was just a kiss on the knuckles." She sighed.
"Oh? So, you're used to having his lips on you?"
"H-Hanabi!" Hinata's face heated even more "No."
"But you wouldn't mind if he does." It was a statement.
" w-what?"
"You never wondered what it would feel like to have his mouth on you?" A perfect brown eyebrow rose in challenge.
Hinata sputtered.
"I wonder if he's a good kisser?" As Hinata's cheeks kept glowing, Hanabi paid her no mind "He seems like someone who knows how to use his tongue properly."
"Hanabi! S-stop objectifying him. He's more than just a body!" The blue haired kunoichi protested.
"Aha! So you admit. You've been thinking about his body" Hanabi exclaimed victoriously.
"N-no! Sasuke-san is more than a pretty package. He's interesting, thoughtful and kind in his own way."
"Thoughtful and Kind you say?" Hanabi was skeptical but thrilled that her sister seems to be noticing the Uchiha.
"Yes."
"Ah so he's probably a generous lover." Hanabi wiggled her eyebrows.
"Hanabi! What happened to my innocent little sister!" Hinata was dismayed by this whole conversation.
"She found Nii-san's erotica novels hidden stash." the brunette answered with a straight face
"Y-you're lying!"
"They're quite the interesting read actually, I'll show you."
Before Hinata could question her sister about how she even came to the knowledge that apparently their serious cousin was a closeted pervert. They were interrupted by the arrival of a branch member bearing a scroll from the Hokage's tower.
"Huh. There's to be a fighting tournament for high level shinobis" Hanabi snatched the scroll before her sister could even touch it.
I really need to teach her about boundaries.
"Every clan can have a representative as long as they're level Chunin and up. Ah but no Anbu. Well, Neji Nii-san will be disappointed."
Hinata read over her sister's shoulder. Well, that explains all the foreigners milling about in Konoha. They're here for the Tournament. It will probably be quite the event.
"I wonder if Uchiha-san will fight. Do you think we'll get to see him shirtless?" Hanabi was apparently not done with the previous conversation55.
Unfortunately for Hinata she was still to be subjected to a few more minutes of this topic.
She'll blame what happened a few days later on her sister's new found sexual awakening.
It was one of those hot days that gave a preview to the summer they were about to be subjected to.
Hinata had the day off from the hospital. She really needed it.
The sight of Sakura's growing belly was daunting ,as were her feeling towards the situation. She was strangely happy for the pink haired kunoichi.
It was obvious that despite the visible signs of stress, Sakura was glowing. But Hinata felt like she ought to be still angry about the situation.
Hinata sighed. It was time to burry the hatched. She didn't have it in her to hate the woman and she certainly can't hate Naruto.
However, one challenge at a time.
She was now facing what was probably the hardest mission of her life.
Convince Sasuke Uchiha to try ice cream.
"I don't like sweets."
"It's sorbet. It can barely be called a desert." She elaborated at Sasuke's deadpan expression. "It's sour and I didn't add sugar."
"You made it yourself." His eyebrows twitched.
"As a thank you for the dance." Hinata's cheek pinkened a little.
"It was my pleasure." She couldn't decipher the meaning hidden behind his smirk.
"T-try it. Please." Hinata could see his resolve wavering a little. Sasuke wasn't one to waste someone else's efforts.
(That was totally not true. He always rejected sweets from girls. It was the 'please' that did him in.)
"Fine" He sighed "But you'll have to make it up to me if it gives me diabetes because of the sweetness."
The blue haired kunoichi giggled. She couldn't help but notice he sometimes had a penchant for drama.
Sasuke cautiously brought the spoon to his mouth as if afraid it was poisoned. Hinata released a relieved breath when he didn't spit it out immediately.
"It's…refreshing." That's high praise coming from him. The young heiress smiled when he ate another.
Her smile slowly turned into a small 'o' as she watched him lick the spoon. She was completely transfixed by the sight of his tongue chasing after a few melted drops.
Hanabi's comment replayed in her mind; "I wonder if he's a good kisser? He seems like someone who knows how to use his tongue properly."
"Would you like a taste?"
"W-what? " Hinata squeaked. She knew he was talking about the ice-cream but her brain totally misinterpreted that statement for a few seconds, before it rebooted. "I b-brought my own. I-it's strawberry."
How mortifying! He noticed I was staring.
The kunoichi busied herself with her own desert, trying to cool her embarrassment.
"You have ice cream on your face." She lifted her head at his snort.
Before she could look for a tissue, Sasuke raised his hand to wipe it. His thumb slowly swiped the corner of her mouth prompting her lips to part in response.
Her breath hitched as he brought the digit back to his own mouth to lick it.
What is wrong with me?
"This taste better." He stated his lips twitching. All she could do was offer her cup in response.
"I still don't like sweets." He said smirking in that undecipherable way.
Hinata's face matched her ice-cream as she tried to convince herself she was reading way too much into this.
This Hanabi's fault.
Sasuke's attractiveness never unsettled her before.
She hoped she doesn't embarrass herself in training.
Sasuke cannot deny it.
He had enjoyed seeing her all dolled up wielding her words and wit to charm even the sternest of nobles. He was sure she'd be a dangerous political powerhouse if her clan had the foresight of seeing all that potential. Blind fools.
Playing the part of the princess certainly suited her.
However, he preferred her much more like this.
Veins protruding at her temple, dangerous chakra-laced hands aiming at his heart.
The sight of the kunai slashing near his jugular was a masterpiece to behold. The sound of lightening crackling from her delicate fingers was music to his ear.
And of course, she was particularly delicious when she was trying to set him on fire.
Sasuke side stepped the fireball heading in his direction at an alarming rate. His activated Sharingan followed its path as it made contact with a bush that went up in flames in a second.
At this rate there will be no more greenery around.
Maybe we should relocate before she burns the whole forest to the ground.
The ex-avenger failed to suppress his grin as another fireball missed him by an inch.
He was sure he'd enjoy seeing her go full pyromaniac on someone.
Hmm. Maybe some of her clan's elders.
They sure deserved to burn in hell for treating her like shit for year and still trying to control her. It would be poetic justice for them to meet their end by the same fire that they tried to put out years ago.
And with their death, there would be no more talk of forced marriage.
Sasuke considered doing it himself that night at the welcoming ceremony. But apparently homicide was frowned upon in parties.
How disappointing.
At the sight of the familiar hand signs, the Uchiha decided to put an end to this spar before she creates a smoke signal for the whole village to see.
Sasuke body flickered to her and broke her hands apart, his tenketsu weren't happy about touching a Hyuuga's hands.
In a matter of seconds, they tumbled to the ground. He used his body to trap her against the floor and pinned both her arms above her head with one hand placing his sword on her neck with the other.
His Sharingan was still spinning even when her own Kekkei Genkai went off at her recognition of her lost battle.
His blood limit was a blessing and a curse at the same time.
Immortalizing this moment would not help chase away the not-so-innocent images his brain likes to paint when he was having one of his sleepless night.
Her hair was fanned out around her head like a halo. He was sure her deep indigo locks would make a lovely contrast against his white bedsheets.
Her chest was brushing against his with every breath. Small puffs of air tickled his face.
Her pearly eyes blinked a couple of times then her cheeks gained that red hue he was getting fond of.
Her lips parted ever so slightly, prompting his eyes to flicker towards them automatically.
Her eyes searched his, face still radiating heat.
Right. Personal space.
"Careful." He whispered "You do not want.." …. to look at me that way unless you want me to kiss you…..."the whole village finding out about your newfound mastery over fire release."
Sasuke cleared his throat and put some distance between their faces but didn't get off her completely, as he already discovered once she was not above playing dirty against him.
He had been so proud the first time she did.
That had warranted new rules: the spar wasn't over until someone verbally declared it so.
"I guess I went a bit overboard?" Hinata's blush intensified as she peered at the scorch marks and bushes still burning.
"You think?" a perfect dark eyebrow rose.
"Well how can I even have a chance at putting a single scratch on you if I don't go all out?" her pout was adorable.
"We'll change location so you may have your fill at going after me." Sasuke smirked, she was so in denial about her own bloodthirstiness.
"It won't make a difference. I always end up losing." her pout persisted.
Cute.
She was really making it hard not to pepper her face with kisses.
"True. But you did get better"
"Really?" Hinata looked doubtful.
"You still don't see it?" The Uchiha tilted his head to the side.
"Your Sharingan…. It's activated." Hinata gazed at his blood red eye with awe.
"Yes." Sasuke replied, waiting for it to sink in.
Recognition downed on her.
She was finally fast and skilled enough that he felt more comfortable fighting her with his blood limit; The basic level of the Sharingan, but it was still quite a feat considering his current skill level.
Her face exploded with happiness. He memorized the expression before his eye went back to onyx.
"Now, do you forfeit or are you enjoying being pressed against me that much?" Sasuke smirked at her indignant squeak.
He released her from his hold and she scrambled to get back on her feet and put some much-needed distance between them.
Hinata headed toward the shade of a tree (that she didn't burn down. Yet.) and took a seat while reaching for the bentos she prepared for both of them. Ever since he told her Onigiri with tomato filling was his favorite childhood food, she made a habit out of making it at least once a week.
Sasuke joined her.
This was another thing he liked about this whole training arrangement. The breaks they took; sometimes filled with peace and quiet, sometimes filled with conversation.
Conversation has never been easier.
She was easy to talk to.
Even with heavy topics. She shared anecdotes from her childhood about her deceased mother and he found himself reciprocating.
Sasuke didn't talk much about his past but he did tell her a few happy stories before the massacre.
She never pitied him. Just listened and smiled at his younger self's antics.
He likes to think his mother would've liked her. He was sure Itachi would have.
She was a pacifist like he had been and she too loved her sibling and would've done anything for her sister at the cost of herself.
He was sure his brother would've understood the burdens of being an heir to a prestigious clan more than he did.
Yes, Itachi would've certainly basked in her light like he did. She somehow manages to chase away the darkness, when he was having one of his off days.
His thoughts were interrupted by Hinata's voice.
"Sasuke-san are you going to participate in the tournament?"
At his raised eye brow, she giggled "Right. Way out of everyone's league."
"Are you?" The Uchiha asked taking a bite of his food.
"Me?" the kunoichi looked down "I want to."
"Then why don't you?" He questioned.
"I don't know if I can." She whispered.
"Don't be insulting. I've been training you for months. Of course, you can." Sasuke's eyebrows twitched.
Her eyes widened as if shocked by his faith in her.
She can be quite dense sometimes.
"Wouldn't be weird that a medic-nin is participating." Hinata bit her lower lip in thought.
That was kind of distracting.
"But you're not a medic-nin only. You spent half your life in a track and capture squad." The raven- haired shinobi pointed out "That makes you uniquely qualified for being in Anbu if we had a branch for hunter-nins like in Kirigakure."
"Is that a job offer Commander Uchiha?" She smiled cheekily at him.
"You want me to give you orders outside of the training grounds too?" He smirked when she choked on air and her cheeks colored.
Ah. So she's not that innocent.
Dirty-minded Hyuuga princess.
Sasuke being the gentlemen that he was, pretended not to know where her mind went to. But filed that information away for future use.
"No. No Anbu for you. You have to get your fix somewhere else." He continued.
"My… fix?" Hinata was puzzled.
"Didn't you know? You're an adrenaline-junky." Sasuke stated.
"I am not!" She said with that indignant look that made him want to squish her cheeks together.
"Of course, you are. Just because you like the danger in a risk-free environment doesn't mean you don't crave it." Sasuke had to try hard not to laugh at the face she was making "It's why you are a trauma surgeon medic-nin, you just love the chaos Hyuuga."
"That's not true! I like helping people." Hinata gaped.
"You like slicing them open. I saw you in action remember." Sasuke hid his grin behind his hand.
"I..I….to help them…..that doesn't mean I'm a junkie." Her sputtering was amusing.
"You told me you were feeling on edge because there were no emergency operations to perform." The Uchiha said with a straight face.
"Because I can't fix anybody!"
"Is that why you tried so hard to kill me today so you can fix me after?" He smirked
"If I succeeded in killing you there wouldn't be anything left to fix" Hinata scowled.
Oh, he loved the fact he was one of the few people who can make her lose her temper.
"Bold words Hyuuga." Sasuke felt his own rush of adrenaline mounting "You want to take another go at me? I'll even allow you to use kunais, that way it'll satisfy your need to spill blood."
Her scowl intensified.
Adorable.
"Tell you what. If you succeed at drawing blood, I'll teach you how to handle a katana."
He dangled the offer in front of her.
Sasuke knew he had her when her eyes burned at the challenge.
He really did like stroking her flames and breaking her out of her clan-imposed limits.
Plus if the spar ended with her being under him. Who was he to complain?
AN: Sasuke's head totally said :Women. But wait...Women who can kill you.
I am way too fond of the dagger at your throat thing.
A special thank you to mischievous Hanabi for opening her sister's eyes to Sasuke's undeniable hotness.
Another thank you for the positive reviews that bring me joy. Always.
A more heartfelt thank you to my knights in shining armors; The guests, Luvhina and bonauditeur for standing up to the petty internet bullies. And here I thought online haters were so last season.
The fact is I enjoy writing and reading about this pair. And I respect other people's preferences. If even one person likes this story then that is reason enough to continue ( but between you and me I probably will still post for my own pleasure.)
Now let's review some basic fanfic rules shall we:
1) Open.
2) Find a pair you like from your favorite fandom.
3)Take a deep dive and go crazy.
4)Know that the whole point of fanfiction is to take creative liberties ( I mean why so serious?)
5)Know that not everyone shares your preferences and that is ok.
6) If you don't like a pair have the dignity of not wasting your time and move on to a better story.
7) Have fun. 😊
Also if you think fluffy Sasuhina is problematic ( and that is ok btw) then damn the dark romance, age gap, morally grey, shameless smut and other pairings will send you running for the hills ( that is also ok). On a side note, some booktok novels will eat you alive. Again no shame in that.
Now for the normal functioning readers. I shall wait with batted breath for your reviews. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
-Your unconcerned, no-fuck-giving Amazing writer
Lady thunder Strom.